This was my first flight on this sector and naturally I was looking forward to the trip. I arrived at terminal 1B at 10.00 AM. The terminal was in a bigger mess than it usually is. The check in baggage was being X-rayed outside the terminal in the open. Thankfully, I did not have any heavy baggage. The lady at the check in counter was cheerful and attentive. I requested for a window seat on the right hand side. She checked up on the system and informed me that all but the 18F were occupied. That was fine with me.

I proceeded for the security check. I was through in a minute. The departure lounge at terminal 1B is a disgrace. There was only one snack counter serving cool drink and tea/coffee. Anyways my basic objective was to do some spotting. The domestic apron was full of Jet Airways B737s. There was a lone Air Sahara B737. I was hoping to see an Air Deccan A320 but was not lucky. Further down, I could see the AIX B737-800, VT-AXC parked at the AI Mx. It can easilly be identified with 'tabla' on the left tailfin. There were a couple of B-747-400s and a lone A310. I could also see VT-EGB at one corner waiting for the scrapper to finish his job. The engines had been removed. There were a few take offs and arrivals. It was a pleasure to see the SQ B777-200 taxi in and head towards terminal 2C. There was a UPS 767 arrival followed by a take off another UPS a/c. And there were the usual ICs and 9Ws.

Soon the boarding for my flight was announced. We were bussed to the a/c. It was a B737-700, VT-JNU. I had never flown in a dash 700 before. The seat pitch in 9W aircrafts is very less. Good thing it was only a one hour ten minutes flight. Now I was waiting to see if any beautiful woman would be seated next to me. My hard luck, I had a toddler along with his mom for company. The kid in between and the mom on the aisle seat. Why does this happen to me? Anyways we were soon pushed back and I could see an Air Sahara CRJ, VT-SAP taxing into the apron.

We proceeded towards the rwy 027. Through my window, I could see the AI Mx area. There was the 737-800. The treat of the day was the gleaming AI 747-400 Combi still bearing the US registration. Further down the taxi track we waited at twy to the rwy. There was an IC A320 ahead of us. The IC waited for the AI B777-222, VT-AIJ to land.

We turned south and headed towards Managlore. The beautiful coastline was in view. One could see the sea changing colors, from the grey of polluted Mumbai waters to crystal clear blue as we headed south.

Now the kid next to me turned out to be a real pest. He kept fiddling with everything and tried to climb on to my laps. His mom did not bother to stop him. She was busy reading some magazine. All of a sudden, there was a stink. I almost puked. It seems that the kid had relieved himself. I had to ask his mom to go to the lav and change his diaper. She refused, I was stuck with a stinking kid throughout the remainder of the flight. There was a meal service. The meal consisted of sprouted beans, rice with chicken curry and a 'malai sandwich'

I could see the beautiful beaches of Goa. The ships and the trawlers entering the Margao port. Soon we started our descent towards Mangalore. It's a beautiful area with lots of forest cover and hills. The airport itself is on a hill top. We turned left and and again left after some time. This was followed by another left turn and now we headed towards ILS rwy 027. The touchdown was smooth, we took up the entire rwy for the landing run. It's a real short rwy, only 1450.00 meters. There is a deep valley at both the ends. If an a/c overshoots, it goes straight down. The landing experience out here is very exciting. While landing, on the finals, one can see the houses, trees all quite low, then all of a sudden the rwy appears out of no where.

Overall it was a great flight. If it had not been for the kid and his careless mom next to me, it could have been better.

It was also my first flight with a female captain.

Himmat

An airplane might disappoint any pilot but it'll never surprise a good one.

Quoting Himmat01 (Thread starter):Now the kid next to me turned out to be a real pest. He kept fiddling with everything and tried to climb on to my laps. His mom did not bother to stop him. She was busy reading some magazine. All of a sudden, there was a stink. I almost puked. It seems that the kid had relieved himself. I had to ask his mom to go to the lav and change his diaper. She refused, I was stuck with a stinking kid throughout the remainder of the flight. There was a meal service. The meal consisted of sprouted beans, rice with chicken curry and a 'malai sandwich'

Indian kids can be the biggest hands in the butt.. I have had similar stories.. their behaviro (caused by ignorant parents) is annoying and can make the best flight turn out tb horrible

Thanks for the picture of Juhu airport. What is with the displaced thresholds on that runway? It appears as though there's hardly any actual runway left after the thresholds are taken out. Does that runway even get used? It seems somewhat impractical to use it on a regular basis.

Nice report, as Subin mentioned a little Inflight pics would have made it better, but i can understand you were a bit occupied dealing with the stink.
Damm these babies along with their CARELESS mothers can be pests,

Infact my first ever "spotting" trip was at Mangalore airport as part of school trip! I went to school in Udupi and the headmaster had written to Station Manager months in advance to secure permission to the viewing terrace. During the trip, we went to terrace (others had to buy ticket to be there) and only thing I remember is severe heat, loud noise of the plane from Bombay (or Vayudoot to Bangalore?) and waving to the departing passengers. Also vaguely remember pilots walking out of the plane and heading to the cafetaria. I don't think they allow anyone to the terrace anymore due to security restrictions.

Lfutia - big changes since 1998. Waiting area is fully airconditioned now, new carpet and luxurious cushioned seats compared to plastic seats elsewhere. There is also a handicraft store. All in all a neat small airport. Local Chamber of Commerce takes big interest in the operations of the airport.

Himmat01 - good report. How is the profile of passengers on this flight? Are they still predominantly connecting passengers from Gulf?

Landing is indeed very exciting at Mangalore. Taking off to Bangalore usually they make a U turn and you get great view of the table top strip.